A WELL-RESPECTED councillor who served the community of Ringwood for more than 40 years has been remembered for his dedication to the town and love of Bisterne Football Club.

Neville Chard ISM served on Ringwood Town Council from 1973 to May, 2015. He died on May 16, aged 88.

Mr Chard served as chairman of the council in 1982/83 and then for three years from 1986 to 1989 and in 1999/2000. In addition to all of those roles, he had been chairman of every committee of the council.

The former postman, who was with the post office for 51 years was the first, and still is the only, person to be awarded the title of Honorary Freeman of Ringwood Town in 2010, in recognition of his long and outstanding service to the people of the town.

His son Stephen said: “Everything he did was all about Ringwood and that is what he lived for.”

His service to the community began in the Second World War when he was an Army cadet watching out for air raids from the observation post on the roof of the old Public Offices in Christchurch Road.

Mr Chard joined the former Ringwood and Fordingbridge Rural District Council in about 1970 and, in 1973, became one of the first members of the newly formed New Forest District Council, on which he served until 1987.

Former three-time mayor Brian Terry, who served on the town council with Mr Chard, said: “He was an excellent person and an ambassador for Ringwood. He will be greatly missed.”

Town and district councillor Jeremy Heron said: “Neville was already a seasoned councillor by the time I joined. Having grown up in Ringwood and subsequently been a postman within the town there was no street, no green or building which he did not know and this local knowledge was invaluable. 

“Neville was a man who only knew one way to treat people, with honesty, with courtesy, with kindness and those are the true accolades that earned him the well-deserved title of “father of the council”.

"He will be sadly missed by all those who had the pleasure to work alongside him and call him a friend.”

Former mayor and Ringwood councillor, Michael Thierry, said he was an “extremely faithful, diligent, loyal and respected town councillor” and was “always wise in his counsel”.

“Clearly Neville in his own way made a positive contribution to the town. He was extremely helpful and a credit to himself and the town.”

In 1948, Mr Chard joined Bisterne Football Club and became secretary to the club in 1957, a role which he continued until recently. He also served as groundsman to the club and won many awards for the high standard of his pitches.

Marc Jennings, ex-manager and committee member of Bisterne Football Club, said: “Neville was involved with Bisterne for over 60 years and during this time he fulfilled many roles at the club from player to chairman. One of his favourite roles as groundsman provided much success and Neville won many awards for the high standard of the club’s pitches. I like many others were very fortunate to be involved with Bisterne up until Neville’s retirement in 2013.

“Bisterne FC over the years has enjoyed success in League and Cup competitions and this would not have been possible without Neville dedicating many hours a week keeping the club running. He was a very honest and hardworking individual who gave a lot to the community and will missed by everyone who has been associated with Bisterne Football Club.”

The funeral service takes place on Thursday, June 1, at Ringwood Parish Church, 2.30pm.